Admission by Academic Contract

Provisional Admission/Admission by Academic Contract

Applicants whose GPA, GED, ACT, or SAT values/scores (or any combination thereof) fall below the stated minimums must submit an essay (at least one page in length, single spaced) containing the following information:

Explanation of Scores;

Description of Applicant’s College Readiness and Preparedness;

Career Goals; and

Other Items the Applicant and Admissions Counselor Deem Relevant to Application.

An applicant can choose to submit this essay at the time of application. However, the Office of Admissions will formally request it after receipt of all required materials necessary for review.

Throughout the application process, the Office of Admissions’ first preference is for students to improve their GPA (during their remaining high school courses) or test scores (by retaking the ACT or SAT).

Additionally, the Office of Admissions may request an interview with the applicant. Neither the essay nor the interview guarantees admission.

Applicants who demonstrate the ability to be successful in a university environment may be offered Admission by Academic Contract. The contract, which must be signed by the student and parents or guardians as appropriate, will limit the student to a maximum of 14 credits of prescribed courses during his or her first semester.

If the student achieves a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in the first semester, the contract arrangement will be terminated. If the student does not achieve a 2.0 grade point average, the student will be subject to the University of Charleston’s probation and dismissal policies.